Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,439, Solomon Gibbs, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Gibbs, Solomon
S17439
Carded
CONTENTS

Connecticut 1780
Solomon Gibbs
of Litchfield in the State of Conn
who was a Rev — in the
by Captain — of the Regt commended
by Col Miffs in the Conn
line for 7 mo 24 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn
at the rate of 26 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Sept 1830 and Jan — 9. 6 Woodruff Litchfield
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 $ 65 — Semi-ant. allowance ending Nov 24 1833 18
$78
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. D. Brainerd Clerk Book 10 Vol. 3 Page 16

Lt. G. Gibbs
15675

Declaration of Solomon Gibbs in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Connecticut } ss Court of Probate within & County of Litchfield } for the District of Litchfield
On this 3 rd day of September  October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. Frederick R. Wolcott Judge of said Court of Probate now sitting Solomon Gibbs a resident of Litchfield in said District County aged 72 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein stated viz,
I was born at Litchfield aforesaid July 15 th 1760 There is a record of my age on the Town Records of said town In the summer or fall of the year 1776 & in September I think, I belonged to & was drafted out of the Militia Company in said town commanded by Capt Miles Beach & Lieut Simothy Skinner & Ensign Eli Smith for two months to serve as a soldier in the war of the Revolution & in the service of the United States, I was stationed as one of a sergeants guard at S d Litchfield, which was placed over the prisoners of war detained in custody at S d Litchfield by the Americans, said guard was commanded by Sergeant Charles Catlin, Among the prisoners was Gov. Franklin the English Governor of New Jersey, I served as one of said guard two months that being the time for which I with others was drafted, At the end of this time I was dismissed, While I was performing this service Capt Seymour's company of cavalry brought to S d Litchfield, as a prisoner, a Mr Matthews the English Mayor of the City of New York who was a tory, S d Matthews I will remember was detained for

some time at P t Litchfield as a prisoner or parole The Americans left Kennebec & the British returned about this time To prove this service I annex the testimony of W m Gibbs & Abner Baldwin & Joseph Nason
In the last of August or first of September 1777 I was drafted out of the same company to go to the North River to watch the motions of the British fleet who were sailing up the R r River & endeavoring to effect a junction with Gen l Burgoyne at Albany I went as a soldier of the Revolution in the American Army in the Company commanded by Capt o Archelus Puel, Lieut s Lemuel Gibbs & Ransom Miles Nor- ton. The company assembled at P t Litchfield & marched to Fishkill & there we were put into Col o Hooker's Regiment, in which one Hill of Goshen in S t County was Lieut o Col o , W m Hall of Litchfield was our Sergeant & Major & Maj o Gen l Putnam commanded the army in that quarter. Brig o Gen l Sullivan was also there, & I remember his com- ing personally to my tent door in the night & telling us that the British had sailed up the River & we must march. We marched up the River as the fleet sailed up, & I remember seeing the smoke of Esopus & New Kingston which the British burned as they sailed up. We were on the east side of the River. We marched up as far as Red Hook where the fleet stopped some days, & we remained there till the British having heard of the surrender of Burgoyne at last concluded to return down the River we then marched back to Fishkill & at the Lower Brannack's were paraded & dismissed This tour of service was of two months duration A Regiment of Continental troops under Col o Meigs was with us at this time. To prove this tour of service I annex the testimony of Col o Nathaniel Goodwin who served in the same company with me the whole of said two months & of John Hall

In September 1778 I was drafted out of said Militia Company in Litchfield to go & went as a soldier in the American army to Crompond near Peekskill on the North River to defend that part of the Country against the British who were at that time expected up the River from New York. I was put into Capt Bryant Hoddards Company of 2 d Litchfield in which I think Eaton Jones was Lieut & Theodore Cattle Ensign. We assembled in 2 d Litchfield & marched to Crompond, We were in Col Andrew Adams Regiment, Gen. Silliman Commanded the post, Maj Gen Putnam who was commander in Chief of all the forces in that neighborhood was stationed below Crompond. Col Meigs Continental Regiment of Leather Caps were with us. We remained at & near Crompond a short time & then marched to different places in West Chester County guarding against the excursions of the British & Loyalists, & I served with 1 st Company in all at this time six weeks our Company then being no longer wanted were paraded & dismissed. To prove this tour of service I annex the testimony of Abner Buldwin who was with me the whole time.
On the 5 th of July 1779 the whole of 2 d Militia Company in Litchfield was called out & a notice was brought me in the field when I was at work, that we must march immediately to New Haven where the British had landed. I went with the Company as a soldier to New Haven, & found that the British had just reembarked, our company was then dismissed & I returned to Litchfield, but on the same day of my return, I was notified that I was drafted with others to go as a guard of ammunition from 2 d Litchfield to New Canaan near Norwalk, & I marched immediately with it as a soldier & guard to 2 d New Canaan & there it was distributed to the American Troops.

I was detained there a few days to guard said ammunition & then was dismissed, Gen Oliver Wolcott had a command on the lines near New York & sent at that time for this ammunition. I was gone to New Haven & then to New Canaan & at this time as a soldier in the United States Service two weeks & my only testimony to prove this is the annexed affidavits of Abner Baldwin & of Mr. Gibbs.
In Feb y 1780 I was drafted out of the same Militia Company in Litchfield as one of a Guard over the Prisoners of War confined by the Americans at said Litchfield. I served as such guard as a soldier in the service of the United States through said two months under the command of Sergeant Samuel Woodruff who commanded the guard, & at the end of this time the period for which I was drafted having expired I was dismissed. I well remember that at this time a prisoner named Garmport was bro't & confined in the Prison at said Litchfield for the murder of a family of five persons. William Little was drafted at the same time I was, for the same length of time & after said Little had served one month he hired as a substitute Amos Palmerlee of said Litchfield, said Little is dead, but I annex the testimony of said Palmerlee who served with me the last month of the two months which I served as aforesaid. I also annex the testimony of William Gibbs as to this tour of service & of Joseph Mason.

I have annexed all the testimony in my power of which I have any knowledge, to prove my service. I never received a written discharge but was dismissed in parade with the others of my Company when our time of service had expired, by an officer verbally. I have lived ever since the war & now reside in the town & County of Litchfield. I am known to the Rev. Freeman Marsh, Col. Benj n Falcombridge, Hon. Jabez M. Huntington, Doct. William Buel & others in my present neighborhood, who can testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
I hereby relinquish every claim to an annuity or pension except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Solomon Gibbs
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afore said before me, Frederick W. Root, Judge of Probate Litchfield District, Conn t .
We Freeman Marsh a clergyman residing in the town of Litchfield afore said & William H. Thompson residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Solomon Gibbs who has subscribed sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion. And that his character for veracity is perfectly good.
Freeman Marsh
W m H. Thompson
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afore said before me, Frederick W. Root, Judge of Probate District of Litchfield, Conn t .

And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states And the Court further certifies that the Rev d Freeman Marsh it appears to it that the Rev d Freeman Marsh who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the town of Litchfield aforesaid, & that Mr. H. Thompson who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town & is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to credit
Frederick Wolcott Judge of Probate District of Litchfield, Connecticut
I Phinehas Miner Clerk of said Court of Probate hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Solomon Gibbs for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said office this 15 day of Sept October A. D. 1832
Phinehas Miner Clerk

I, John Hall of the Town of County of Litchfield & State of Conn. being duly sworn do depose & say that I have been acquainted with Solomon Gibbs of the town aforesaid for 60 years & before the revolutionary war; we both during the revolutionary war were residents of said town, I was at Fishkill as a soldier in the American Army of the Revolution in Sept. 1777 & I re- member that said Gibbs was there as a soldier in said army at that time, I was detached to go down the river & left said Gibbs at Fishkill, & soon after those left march- ed up the river as I then understood, but I did not see said Gibbs as I recollect after I left him at Fishkill This was in the fall of the year & about the fall in which Gen. Burgoyne surrendered said Gibbs' character for veracity is good, He is reputed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & no doubt has ever existed on that subject to my knowledge And further the deponent saith not Dated at Litchfield this 25 th day of July 1832
John Hall
Litchfield County ss Litchfield July 25 th 1832 Personally appeared John Hall to me known as a witness entitled to credit & who subscribed the above deposition in my presence & made solemn oath to the truth of the same Before me Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace

I William Gibbs of the town & County of Litchfield, Conn. being duly sworn do depose & say, that I am an elder brother of Solomon Gibbs of 1 st town, & that during the revolutionary war, we lived with our Father in said town, when we were not in the army, & that in the summer of 1776, I believe in August, Capt Moxes Seymour's Company of Horse of which I was a member returned to Litchfield from New York , bringing with us a Mr Matthews the Mayor of New York, I found at this time on my return my brother Solomon stationed at Litch- field, as one of a Guard of soldiers, placed over the Prison- ers of war detained by the Americans at 1 st Litchfield, He remained as one of 1 st Guard some time after I came home to Litchfield but how long I cannot say
In September & October 1777 I was on the north River & went up the River as the British Fleet sailed up the River &c. & came home to Litchfield in the last of Oct, & a short time after Burgoyne surrendered, After I had been home a few days my brother Solomon came home, our family had told me that he was in the American Army in Fish- kill, before he returned, & after he returned, he told me that he had been in the American Army, & in the Infan- try who marched up the river to Red Hook, & back to Fishkill, that he saw Esopus (now Kingston) burned. This he told immediately on his return & has often told the same story since, I did not see him during this tour, probably in consequence of his belonging to the Infan- try, whilst I belonged to the horse horse
I remember that in the year & in the summer in which New Haven was taken, & Norwalk burned, my brother Solomon was called upon & went as a soldier to New- Haven, & immediately on his return, was called upon to go & went as one of a guard over ammunition which was carried from Litchfield to a part of the army near the lines on the coast towards New York, how long he

was gone I cannot precisely tell but should think it was about a fortnight in all, including the tour to New Haven & that as a guard towards the lines, I lived at home with him at the time I know that he went
I remember very well that he the said Solomon was again stationed at Litchfield as one of a guard over the Prisoners of War taken by the Americans & detained in prison in Litchfield; This was in the winter of 1780, I cannot tell how long he served as such guard, I was at home at that time & personally know that he served as such guard And further the deponent said Solomon is 72 years of age And further the deponent saith not
(Dated at Litchfield this 25 th day of July A.D. 1892
William Gibbs
Litchfield County Conn. ss Litchfield July 25 th 1892 Personally appeared William Gibbs to me, a well known to be a witness entitled to credit & who subscribed the above deposition in my presence by holding the pen while I wrote his name & made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me
Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace

I Nathaniel Goodwin of the town & County of Litchfield Conn. being duly sworn do depose & say that for the last 60 years I have been well acquainted with Solomon Gibbs of said town, that in Aug. of the year 1777 he was drafted out of the militia company in Litchfield to join the American Army on the North River, that he did so join it in the Company commanded by Capt. Archelus Bull, Lieut. Samuel Gibbs & Ensign Miles Norton, in the Reg t commanded by Col. Hooker & Lt. Col. Hilly. He marched from Litchfield to Fishkill & there remained stationed some time. At this time Burgoyne was attempting to march from Canada & effect a junction with the British from New York who had sent a fleet of vessels up the river to endeavor to reach Albany; while he was at Fishkill the British vessels succeeded in breaking the chain at West Point & were sailing up the river to Albany & our army among whom was said Gibbs were ordered to march up the River as the fleet sailed up, to watch their motions & prevent their ravaging the adjoining country; his Company, in which he was went up the river for this purpose, & upon the east side of it as far as Red Hook, where the Fleet stopped & after remaining there a few days returned down the river on hearing of the Surrender of Gen. Burgoyne. Esopus now Kingston was burned by the British as they sailed up, Said Gibbs returned with his Company as far down as Fishkill, & was there dismissed after having served three or four days over two months . I was drafted at the same time & Gibbs was, for the same purpose, & served in the same company with him & personally know that he served as above stated, Said Gibbs character for truth is entirely good, And further saith not, Dated at Litchfield this 10 th day of Aug 1832. V. Nath l Goodwin
Litchfield County ss Litchfield Aug 10 th 1832
Personally appeared Col. Nathaniel Goodwin, to me well known to be a witness entitled to full credit & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition, by him in my presence subscribed
Before me — George C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Otsego County
I Amos Baldwin of Otsego in said County being duly sworn doth depose and say that for the last Sixty Years I have been well acquainted with Salomon Gibbs of the town and County of Litchfield Conn. which place I left in the Spring of the year 1831. — I will remember that in September 1778. S d Gibbs was drafted out of a Militia Company in S d , Litchfield to join the American Army on the North River. That he went accordingly as a soldier of S d Army at Crom Pond, where he was put into Captain Bryant Stoddards Company in which Eaton Jones was Lieut & (thinks) Theodore Calkin was Ensign and into the Regiment commanded by Col. Andrew Adams, and (thinks) the Lt Col. name was Hills , the Major name not recollecting; I suppose we was under the command of Gen. Putnam who was stationed Below Crom Pond near New York, when at Crom Pond the Regt. exercised & kept a Col. Guard and drew their provisions at Fish Kill. remained at Crompond about two weeks , from thence we went to Westchester, had several skirmishes, was sent there to keep the Cow Boys in order, remained there about four weeks , we was then relieved by another draft of Militia and was dismissed, that this deponent served in the same company and at the same time with said Gibbs and knew him well at that time and personally knew that he performed said service; — That in the month of July 1779. This deponent went in company with S d Gibbs & others at the time New Haven was attacked by the British, we got within Six Miles of New Haven and was discharged. This deponent went to Fairfield, from thence to Norwalk where I found the said Gibbs as a Guard

to gain the Ammunition sent from Litchfield to the Army at Oswalk. Cannot say how long he was out in that town. This Deponent further states that Sol. Gibbs was once and served on Jail Guard at Litchfield in Conn. at two different times of One Month Each /as near as this Deponent can now recollect/. To gain the Tory prisoners confined in said Jail - Among the number of prisoners confined was Judge Beckmridge from Vermont - further this Deponent saith not.
✓ Abner Daddison
State of New York Otsego County ss
I Chester Jarvis a Justice of the Peace of Otsego in said County do certify that Abner Daddison to me known to be a person of good moral character, and entitled to the fullest credit for truth and veracity, came before me this 5 th day of September 1832 and made solemn oath in due form of Law, to the above affidavit, and subscribed his name thereto in my presence.
Chester Jarvis Justice
State of New York Otsego County ss
I Horace Lathrop. Clerk of the said County do certify that Chester Jarvis before whom the above Affidavit purports to have been sworn, & whose name appears to the above certificate, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Otsego, duly elected and sworn as such; And further that I am acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said certificate to be his proper handwriting & signature. Given under my hand & Seal of Office the 5 th day of September 1832.
Horace Lathrop. Clerk.

I Amos Palmerlee of the town & County of Litchfield & State of Conn. being duly sworn deposed & say that in the forepart of the year of 1780 a guard of soldiers designated  designated for two months was stationed at Litchfield aforesaid, for the purpose of guarding the Prisoners of war detained by authority of the United States at 1 st Litchfield , One William Little was one of said Guard & while he was stationed as such guard at 1 st Litchfield , he hired me to take his place as a substitute, & as such I entered said Guard & there found as one of said Guard Solomon Gibbs then & now of 1 st Litchfield , he remained as such guard till the two months expired, when we were dismissed our term of service  employment having terminated, I served as such substitute about one month & till the end of 1 st two months & personally know that said Gibbs served at least through that month & I suppose he served for 1 st two months , While I was on such guard one Dampst was brought to prison for the murder of five individuals in Washington, Conn. & further the deponent saith not.
Dated at Litchfield this 27 th day of July, 1832.
Amos Palmerlee
Litchfield County ss Litchfield July 27 th 1832.
Personally appeared Amos Palmerlee a witness to me known to be entitled to credit & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition, by him in my presence subscribed.
Before me
No. C. Woodruff
Justice of the Peace

I Joseph Mason of the town & County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut being duly sworn do depose & say that I was born in the town & County of Litch- field aforesaid & have always since resided in the town, except about 5 years I was knowing to the fact that during the Revolutionary War a guard was stationed at the town over the prisoners of War taken by the Americans & that many of our militia were drafted & served as soldiers in the Guard, & that I served as one of such guard at one time; & that those drafts were of not less than two months duration, of this there is in my mind no doubt I have been acquainted with Mr Soloma Gibbs of said town for more than fifty years & he always has & now sustains a perfectly good character for truth & veracity And further saith not
Dated at Litchfield this 12 th day of Sept 1832
✓ Joseph Mason
Litchfield County ss Litchfield Sept 12 th 1832 Personally appeared Mr Joseph Mason a witness to me known to be entitled to credit & who sub- scribed the foregoing deposition in my presence & made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me
Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace
I Frederick Woodworth Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut certify that George C. Woodruff Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit of John Hall, William Gibbs, Nathaniel Goshorn, Lemuel Palmer & Joseph Mason appear to have been taken, was then not yet dated & now is a Justice

of the Peace for said County, That as such he hath a right by law to administer Oaths &c - and that the foregoing signatures to said affidavits which purport to be his are genuine. -
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of said Court at Potosi, in Missouri this 12 th day of October A.D. 1832.
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk.

H m Ills.
17 439 INVALID.
Jan. 18/98. Hist. to Mr. B. Gibbs, Chicago-
File No. 17.4.39
Solomon Gibbs
Sci. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 422
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 16675
Solomon Gibbs
266 283 1/2
7 in 24 purate
#26
G. C. Woodruff
Stitchfield 65

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Solomon Gibbs which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
No see quere 16
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

1. L. Edwards Comm ee of Pensions Washington D.C.

Litchfield Conn June 19 th 1883
Sir
I return to your Office Solomon Gibbs application for a Pension authenticated as the same was
Respectfully
Your O bt Serv t
Geo. C. Woodruff